Unilever picks Capgemini for global enterprise data warehouse project

Unilever has chosen Capgemini to spearhead a three-year global business intelligence transformation.

The consumer goods giant is creating its first Enterprise Data Warehouse (EDW), with the aim of getting real-time data on its global customers, markets and operations. Unilever claims 2 billion people using its products every day across 180 countries.

Capgemini will help Unilever's in house teams migrate legacy data warehouses into the new EDW and provide new data-mining and analytical tools to allow managers at all levels make quicker, better informed decisions. The EDW project is expected to play a major role in delivering on-going savings in IT and across Unilever's global business operations.

Willem Eelman, Unilever's Global Chief Information Officer, said: "This programme is one of our top strategic initiatives, not just for IT but for the Unilever business worldwide. It will transform the way our businesses around the world access and use information, bringing enhanced insight and consistency. Capgemini was the natural partner for us given their strong global Business Information Management experience and understanding of our business."

Paul Nannetti, Capgemini's Global Leader for Business Information Management, said: "Unilever is already one of our most important global customers and we are delighted to be working with them to deliver this new and critical programme."

Unilever has worked successfully with Capgemini over the past five years in finance business process outsourcing, and it chose Capgemini following a competitive process with leading multinational IT providers. The consumer goods company cited Capgemini's expertise in business information management and its commitment to sustainability as key factors.

The Capgemini team will be led from the UK and be based in Europe, North America, Latin America and Asia Pacific, with core support from a development centre in India. Pricing of the contract was not disclosed.